Nursing Research Article Critique
Nursing Research Article Critique
Quantitative Research Evaluation
Listed below are criteria that you will use to critique your primary research article. Discuss how
the investigator satisfied each criterion. Cite relevant passages in the articles, with
reference to page number if appropriate. Don’t merely respond yes or no’ to the
presence or absence of each criterion—you must provide examples and rationale for
your response.
Introduction
– 6 points
1. Is the purpose of the study presented?
2. Is the significance (importance) of the problem discussed?
3. Does the investigator provide a sense of what he or she is doing and why?
Problem statement –
6 points
1. Is the problem statement clear?
2. Does the investigator identify key research questions and variables to be examined?
3. Does the study have the potential to help solve a problem that is currently faced in
clinical practice?
Literature review
– 6 points
1. Does the literature review follow a logical sequence leading to a critical review of
supporting and conflicting prior work?
2. Is the relationship of the study to previous research clear?
3. Does the investigator describe gaps in the literature and support the necessity of the
present study?
Theoretical framework and hypotheses
– 6 points
1. Is a rationale stated for the theoretical/conceptual framework?
2. Does the investigator clearly state the theoretical basis for hypothesis formulation?
3. Is the hypothesis stated precisely and in a form that permits it to be tested?
Methodology
– 10 points
1. Are the relevant variables and concepts clearly and operationally defined?
2. Is the design appropriate for the research questions or hypotheses?
3. Are methods of data collection sufficiently described’?
4. What are the identified and potential threats to internal and external validity that were
present in the study?
5.
If there was more than one data collector, was inter-rater reliability adequate?
Sample
– 6 points
1. Are the subjects and sampling methods described?
2. Is the sample of sufficient size for the study, given the number of variables and
design?
3. Is there adequate assurance that the rights of human subjects were protected?
Instruments
– 5 points
1. Are appropriate instruments for data collection used?
2. Are reliability and validity of the measurement instruments adequate?
Data analysis
– 5 points
1. Are the statistical tests used identified and the values reported?
2. Are appropriate statistics used, according to level of measurement, sample size,
sampling method, and hypotheses/research questions?
Results
– 6 points
1. Are the results for each hypothesis clearly and objectively presented?
2. Do the figures and tables illuminate the presentation of results’?
3. Are results described in light of the theoretical framework and supporting literature?
Conclusions/discussion
–12points
1. Are conclusions based on the results and related to the hypotheses’?
2. Are study limitations identified?
3.
Are generalizations made within the scope of the findings?
4. Are implications of findings discussed (i.e., for practice, education, and research)?
5.
Are recommendations for further research stated?
Research
utilization implications – 15 points
1. Is the study of sufficient quality to meet the criterion of scientific merit’?
2. Is the study of relevance to practice?
3. Is the study feasible for nurses to implement?
4. Do the benefits of the study outweigh the risks?
Use of proper format (APA), grammar, spelling, and punctuation
– 17 points
Student Paper General Requirements and Guidelines
1.
All papers must be typewritten or printed on standard 81/2 x 11 inch white bond
paper. The type-face should be times roman or courier. Do not use bold or other
styles of type. Limit the use of italicized words.
2.
All papers must have a title page that includes a page header, running head, title
and author’s name and affiliation.
3.
All papers must have margins of at least 1 inch at the top, bottom, left, and right of
every page. Do not justify the right margin and do not hyphenate words at the end of
a line.
4.
